Japanese sources are reporting that Apple’s new smart television set will ship in three sizes, ranging from 32 to 55 inches.

There is no word on the mid range model yet, obviously it should sit somewhere in-between, but it is rather interesting that Apple went for a 32-incher. Thanks to low prices, most consumers are shifting to 40+ inches, but we reckon a 32-inch model still makes sense, as it will probably end up in student dorms, or as a second TV in bedrooms or kids’ rooms.

As we reported last week, Apple guru Gene Muster believes the new telescreens will cost roughly twice as comparable traditional TVs. In terms of specs, there is quite a bit of speculation, but most punters agree that the new TVs will be based on the A6 processor.

Mind you, the Android crowd doesn’t seem willing to let Apple seize the lead this time around. Samsung and LG have already indicated they will launch their smart TVs in the first half of 2012. Apple is expected to do likewise, but some believe Apple will announce them in late 2012, with volume shipments in early 2013. Of course, at this early stage it all sounds like nothing more but an educated guess.

Apple analyst Gene Munster is confident that Apple will introduce a smart TV sometime next year. Speaking at an event organized by Business Insider, Muster said the device will be full-fledged TV, not just a box you plug into your existing TV.

He claims Apple will introduce several models in various sizes, to suit the needs of consumers who can’t afford or simply have no room for large sets. In terms of pricing, Gene believes the Apple iTV will cost twice as much as a normal TV, which is hardly surprising as Apple gear usually costs twice as much as similar products from the competition.

The whole point of having a smart Apple TV is to seamlessly integrate all your Apple gear in one media super hub. So, the TV will be able to access iTunes libraries, take care of podcasts, cater to basic gaming needs and do everything iPads and iPhones do already, but on a huge screen. Of course, users will be able to use their Apple gear to control the TV, so the iPhone will double as a remote.

Apple is expected to beat Android based smart TVs to the market by a few months, so in case you don’t fancy paying Apple’s premium tax, or you simply dislike Apple and prefer Google’s Android platform, you should be able to get similar products from the likes of Samsung by the end of 2012.

British telly outfit ITV has admitted that it tried to palm off footage from a computer game as real in a documentary investigating links in the 1980s between former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the IRA.

The documentary claimed it showed genuine scenes of the Irish terrorist group downing a British helicopter. "With Gaddafi's heavy machine guns, it was possible to shoot down a helicopter – as the terrorists' own footage shows," warns a voiceover in sombre tone. "No one died in the attack," he reassured viewers. At least he was right about that.

What went wrong was that ITV had archive footage from both the real incident and the video game and it is understood the wrong clip was mistakenly used during the editing process. The footage actually came from a video game, called ArmA 2, is set in a fictional post-Soviet country called Chernarus, where a Western- backed democratic government is trying to hold on to power from communist rebels. We guess it was just too realistic.

ITV has said the documentary will be re-edited for all future broadcasts.